Blue Jays AL East Recap: Signs of Hope

May 7, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Darwin Barney (18) celebrates with Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The Blue Jays won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Darwin Barney (18) celebrates with Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The Blue Jays won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Apr 30, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /

Rotation Wows, Bullpen Woes
16-17

The Tampa Bay Rays are once again find themselves hovering under .500. Their successes have impacted them as much as their failures. Tampa’s rotation is the stuff it was meant to be. Chris Archer is been in top form Matt Andriese has dazzled. Alex Cobb has looked very good lately and Jake Odorizzi has returned from the Disabled List. Their excellence and ability to go late in the game has done wonders for the Rays. Tampa’s offense has been more hit than miss lately, and can help get the team the runs it needs to win.

Yet the reason they find themselves under .500 is due to their injury riddled bullpen. While Alex Colome rebounded nicely this week, the rest of the staff was pretty banged up. Erasmo Ramirez has shored up the bullpen some, but the Rays will need to get some of the many arms off the Disabled List to truly fix it.

Next: Blue Jays' Aaron Sanchez throws successful pen session

Final Takeaway:

The Rays are a tale of two teams right now. If the bullpen can support the staff better, they can achieve great success. If they cannot, their season will be over rather quickly.